Located in Yamanashi Prefecture, the Inari Okura Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, dedicated to the deity Inari Okami, who is revered as the patron of rice and fertility. The shrine's architecture reflects its historical significance, with a unique design that blends traditional and modern elements. Visitors can explore the thousands of vermilion torii gates that line the shrine's pathways, which are said to symbolize the ties between people and Inari Okami. Each gate is adorned with ema offerings, which are prayers written on paper and hung from the gate.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari Okami, Okuninushi no Kami
- Coordinates
- 35.2627711, 139.002153
Visitor tip
For a unique experience, visit the shrine's torii gates at sunrise or sunset, when the light casts a warm glow over the vermilion gates.
Cultural notes
Inari Okami is also associated with the myth of Urashima Taro, a fisherman who fell in love with a princess and lived on an island in the sea. The shrine's ema offerings are often written in honor of this mythological story. During the autumn season, the shrine holds a famous festival in which thousands of torii gates are displayed along the pathways.
Historical note
The shrine was originally established in 736 AD during the Nara period.